Emergency dental care near Marietta may be necessary if you are suffering from serious oral health problems. If you are in pain, discomfort, or simply know that something is wrong, you should see a dentist immediately. Only a dentist can quickly alleviate your pain and reduce your risk of suffering from more severe complications. Continue reading to learn why mouth sores, bleeding gums, and mouth pain all generally require emergency dental care.

Mouth Sores
It is important to call your dentist immediately at the first signs of mouth sores, especially if they are bleeding. While some sores inside the mouth are harmless canker sores, other lesions and lumps can be signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer generally starts as a white or red spot in the mouth and often occurs in patients who drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Call your dental clinic right away if the sores are hard or discolored, feel numb to the touch, or if you feel lumps of tissue in the mouth, cheeks, or neck. These symptoms are all associated with oral cancer.

Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums may also require emergency dental care. Red, tender, and bleeding gums are often signs of advanced gum disease. If you suffer from diabetes, it is even more urgent to seek emergency dental assistance. Diabetes reduces the body’s ability to fight off an infection. Advanced gum disease, or periodontics, is an irreversible condition that can make a patient’s teeth fall out. Fortunately, moderate gum disease is reversible by a dentist.

Mouth Pain
Dentists advise their patients to never ignore jaw or mouth pain. Pain or discomfort in the jaw or mouth can be serious. For example, jaw pain is a common heart attack symptom. Severe pain the mouth and gums may also indicate periodontitis or more moderate gum disease. Finally, mouth pain can be a sign of tooth decay or a cavity. Only a dentist can get to the root cause of mouth pain and determine the best solution.